Dravid learnt from Aus, created good system in India: Chappell

Sydney, May 12

Australian batting great Greg Chappell — also a former India coach — believes that India cricket has benefited immensely from Rahul Dravid learning from the Australian system and implementing the lessons in India.

Dravid, who heads the National Cricket Academy, has worked extensively with India’s emerging cricketers at the India A and Under-19 level. Several players mentored by him have gone on to play for India.

Chappell said Dravid picked Australian brains to create a good domestic structure which has served as a feeder for India’s national team.

Chappell added India and England have overtaken Australia in recognising young talent and providing them a platform to succeed.

“India have got their act together and that’s largely because Rahul Dravid has picked our brains, seen what we’re doing and replicated it in India and with their much larger (population) base,” Chappell told Cricket Australia’s website.

Chappell said that talented young Australian players might find their careers at crossroads because of the domestic structure.

“Historically, we’ve been one of the best at developing young players and keeping them in the system, but I think that’s changed in the last couple of years,” he said. “I’m seeing a bunch of young players with great potential who are in limbo. That’s unacceptable. We cannot afford to lose one player.”

The 72-year-old feels Australia is no more the best at identifying talent.

“I think we’ve already lost our position as the best at identifying talent and bringing it though. I think England are doing it better than us now and India are doing it better than us,” the former India coach said.

Earlier this year, Australia were defeated at home in the Border Gavaskar Trophy by a second-string Indian team which was plagued by injuries to its key players and also missing skipper Virat Kohli, who was on a paternity leave.

Chappell feels the victory showcased India’s highly effective player development system. “When you look at the Indian team that played in the Brisbane Test that had three or four fresh players, and everyone said, ‘This is India’s second XI’ – (but) those guys had played for India A,” said Chappell. “And in all sorts of different conditions, not just in India. So when they get picked, they’re not tyros at all, they’re quite hardened international cricketers.” — TNS, agencies